Florida Building Codes
Building Department
- John Freeland
- Building Official
- County Annex Building
- 1st Floor
- 10 SW 2nd Avenue
- Gainesville, Fl 32601
- Phone: 352-374-5243
- Fax: 352-491-4510
- Hours:
- Mon-Thurs 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Friday 8:00 am-1:00 pm
- Map
- GM staff directory
- County staff directory
What are Building Codes?
A building code is a collection of laws, regulations, ordinances or other statutory requirements adopted by a government legislative authority involved with the physical structure and healthful conditions for occupants of buildings. Building codes are the government's official statement on building safety.
Adopted Codes
See all code requirements
Design and Construction:
- Florida Building Code (FBC) 2007
- (FBC) Residential 2007
- (FBC) Existing Building 2007
- (FBC) Plumbing 2007
- (FBC) Fuel Gas 2007
- (FBC) Mechanical 2007
- (FBC) Test Protocols 2007
- (FBC) Energy 2007
- National Electric Code 2008 Edition
- Stair Building Code 2003
Fire and Life Safety:
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioner by the adoption of Ordinance 02-01 on
January 8, 2002, adopted the Florida Building Code with certain administrative amendments, adopted wind speed lines for Alachua
County, and adopted a new swimming pool code for Alachua County. The Ordinance took effect on March 1, 2002 at the same time the Florida
Building Code became effective throughout the State of Florida. Ordinance 02-01 is now codified in the Alachua County Land Development Code
as Chapter 331 and Chapter 334 of the ULDC.
For the complete text of Ordinance 02-01 Click Here
Building Codes establish predictable and consistent minimum standards which are applied to the
quality and durability of construction materials. "Minimum requirements" means that construction meets the criteria of being both "practical
and adequate for protecting life, safety and welfare of the public".
Why do we need Building Codes?
We all need protection from tragedy due to fire, structural collapse and general deterioration
in our homes, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, stores or places of entertainment.
Building codes embrace all aspects of building construction - fire and structural items as well as the plumbing, electrical and mechanical
systems. They provide safeguards and ensure uniformity in the construction industry. While codes provide the means to reduce risks to an
acceptable level, no code can totally eliminate all of the potential hazards. Only through proper design, sound construction practices and
effective code administration programs, can owners ensure safe and hazard-free buildings for occupants.
Inspection during construction is the only way to independently verify that compliance has been achieved. Inspections are conducted in homes,
offices and factories to verify conformity to minimum standards, prior to the issuance of an occupancy certificate.
Building codes are adopted by a state or local government's legislative body, then enacted to regulate building construction within a
particular jurisdiction. The primary purpose of a building code is to regulate new or proposed construction. Building codes only apply to an
existing building if the building undergoes reconstruction, rehabilitation or alteration, or if the occupancy of the existing building changes
to a new occupancy level as defined by the building code.
